Widower fulfils wife's wish of setting up wig bank

David Dinsdale lost his wife Jayne to cancer in April

A widower has fulfilled one of his wife's "last wishes" by setting up a wig bank to help others with cancer regain their confidence when faced with hair loss.

Jayne Dinsdale, who died in April, ran a support group in East Durham and her husband David said he wanted to do something to carry on her work.

The weekly drop-in at Wheatley House, Wheatley Hill, allows patients undergoing treatment to loan wigs for a refundable deposit.

Mr Dinsdale said his wife had lost her self-esteem when she lost her hair and he wanted to "bring happiness and relief" to people going through chemotherapy.

Mrs Dinsdale was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2018. What followed was months of chemotherapy but in 2019 she rang the "all-clear bell" at Newcastle's Freeman Hospital.

During that time, she set up a cancer support group to help others who had received a similar diagnosis.

Jayne Dinsdale had always wanted to set up a wig bank through her cancer support group

In 2022, Mrs Dinsdale's cancer returned and spread. The 54-year-old passed away in April after doctors discovered three tumours in her brain.

Her husband, 58, said he wanted to continue his wife's memory by supporting the community she had set up.

The wig bank allows patients to loan a wig for 28 days for £15, which will be refunded when it is returned, making it easier for people to access wigs which could otherwise cost hundreds of pounds.

He said his wife had lost her hair twice during chemotherapy, which had a big impact on her.

"You just see the self-esteem drop," he said. "You basically feel helpless, I really feel for everybody who goes through it, it's horrible."

More than 100 wigs have been donated by the local community

In the seven weeks since setting up the wig bank, Mr Dinsdale has received more than 100 wigs donated from across County Durham.

He said the response from the local community was absolutely unbelievable.

"It makes me feel really proud and pleased, the support has been unreal," he said.